Post 227 Life Changer Award given to woman who helped a homeless family

Post 227 Commander Richard White presenting
a Life Changer Award to Shannon Lyons
Photo by Jerry Pickard

SHANNON LYONS

2019 Winner of The American Legion, Post 227, Life Changer Award

On Tuesday September 3rd, 2019 The American Legion Post 227's annual Life Changer Award was given to Mrs. Shannon Lyons for her outstanding help to a homeless couple.

This award is given annually to a person who is nominated by community members for their outstanding service to the community.

Her story:

When Shannon Lyons learned that a homeless wheelchair-bound man, his wife and young daughters were in dire straits, she acted. All the shelters were full when Shannon found them. They were standing in the rain and cold beside Aurora Avenue. They had only a single shopping cart and a few bags hanging on the back of the man’s wheelchair. The man suffered from a disease which cost him the use of his arms and legs.

Shannon, her neighbor and their teen-age daughters loaded food and clothing into a car and went to rescue the homeless family. Using her own money, Shannon rented them a room in a local hotel. She then mounted a campaign that raised over $12,000. With the man’s social security income, it was enough to rent the family a house that Shannon helped them find.

By rescuing the homeless family, Shannon Lyons certainly made life better for them. She is the winner of The American Legion Post 227’s 2019 Life Changer Award.